Search
Loading...
The Search and Data Entry Guide provides advice on two related activities that are essential for use of any code system: finding a term and saving the term and related code into the record. The first part of this guide is concerned with searching the content of SNOMED CT to find concepts that represent particular clinical ideas. The second part of the guide is concerned with ways to use SNOMED CT to support entry of relevant clinical information in electronic health records.
Web browsable version: http://snomed.org/searchguide
SNOMED CT Document Library: http://snomed.org/doc
© Copyright 2025 International Health Terminology Standards Development Organisation, all rights reserved. This document is a publication of International Health Terminology Standards Development Organisation, trading as SNOMED International. SNOMED International owns and maintains SNOMED CT®. Any modification of this document (including without limitation the removal or modification of this notice) is prohibited without the express written permission of SNOMED International. This document may be subject to updates. Always use the latest version of this document published by SNOMED International. This can be viewed online and downloaded by following the links on the front page or cover of this document. SNOMED®, SNOMED CT® and IHTSDO® are registered trademarks of International Health Terminology Standards Development Organisation. SNOMED CT® licensing information is available at http://snomed.org/licensing. For more information about SNOMED International and SNOMED International Membership, please refer to http://www.snomed.org or contact us at info@snomed.org. |
Latest PDF Version for Download
Search this document
Contents
1. Introduction
2. Introduction to Search
3. Use Cases for Searches
4. Optimizing Searches
- 4.1. Search by Text
- 4.1.1. Search by Text Containing Diacritic and Accented Characters
- 4.1.2. Search for Descriptions that Begin with the Search Text
- 4.1.3. Search for Descriptions that Contain the Search Text
- 4.1.4. Search for Descriptions that End with the Search Text
- 4.1.5. Search for Words within in Any Order
- 4.1.6. Search for Identical Terms
- 4.1.7. Search for Words in a Specific Order or a Matching Phrase
- 4.2. Search by Identifiers
- 4.3. Extended Searches
- 4.4. Constrained Searches
- 4.5. Improve Search Speed
5. Optimize Display of Search Results
- 5.1. Order Search Results Rationally
- 5.1.1. Order Shortest Matching Terms First
- 5.1.2. Order Preferred Term Matches Before Synonyms
- 5.1.3. Order User Preferred Language Matches First in Multilingual Environments
- 5.1.4. Order According to Priority in Any Active Reference Sets
- 5.1.5. Display the the Most Frequently Used Descriptions Listed First
- 5.1.6. Alphabetical Ordering
- 5.2. Distinguish Identical Terms of Different Concepts
- 5.3. Avoid Multiple Hits on the Same Concept
- 5.4. Rationalize Search Results by Subsumption Checking
- 5.5. Display Navigation Results Effectively
- 5.6. Use Mnemonics and Personal Favorites for Data Entry
6. Data Entry
- 6.1. Benefits of Using SNOMED CT for Data Entry
- 6.2. Structured Data Entry
- 6.3. Constraining Data Entry
- 6.4. Entering Refinements for Post-Coordinated Expressions
Appendix
- Appendix A - Using Search Index Files
- Appendix B - Future Additions to this Guide
- Appendix C - An Example Search and Data Entry Overview Table
Previous Versions
Recent Updates
Feedback
Overview
Content Tools
Apps